Every day I hope for signs of healing, but I would also accept just a simple, boring day in the PICU! Over the past two days, less and less blood could be pulled back from Tyler’s OG (oral gastric) tube. Despite his increased distension, the doctors were hoping less blood meant less bleeding. This afternoon, blood began pouring out of Tyler’s mouth.
After an ENT consult determined no possible source from his mouth or throat, they considered that the OG tube was blocked. When the growing volume of blood couldn’t escape through the tube, it took the path of least resistance – up his esophagus and out of his mouth.
Once the flow issue in the tube was corrected, they were able to pull back over 2000 ccs of blood from his stomach! His bed looked like the scene of a crime. No wonder Tyler was so uncomfortable. Can you imagine more than 2 liter’s worth of blood sitting in your stomach for days?
While it was great to remove the blood and provide some relief, the flip side is that the pressure of so much blood inside his stomach was apparently partially staunching the flow of new blood. Once the pressure was removed, Tyler began bleeding faster. It took 3 units of blood, one unit of platelets, and 1 unit of FFP to bring his hemoglobin back to acceptable levels.
And after all that, his belly is STILL distended, so we know there’s much more still in there. At 6pm Tyler was able to begin receiving tranexamic acid. It is not typically prescribed for diffuse gastric bleeds, so this is definitely an off label use of the drug.
Please pray for this drug to be successful in finally stopping the bleeding in his stomach and intestines. Another matter for prayer is that Tyler is also retaining fluid again, so his arms and legs are very swollen and starting to blister once more.
I’ve said this before, but I just don’t know how much more abuse my child’s body can take! Somehow though, he’s doing it, day after day after day. Tyler titled the iTunes playlist he created for when he felt sick, “When I am Weak.” I play it for him every day and whisper in his ear he’s not weak in the slightest; he’s my strong, strong boy!
Lord, I will remember what you did! Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will spend time thinking about everything you have done. I will consider all of your mighty acts. God, everything you do is holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who does miracles! You show your power among the nations.” (Psalm 77: 11-14)